Changing LNB

[glennda]

has anybody done this and is it pretty simple to do? I'm in rented accommodation and the previous tenant had a sky disk installed - its fairly old i think (over 3 years as i've been here that long). We currently have the sky disk on the front of the house which has a single LNB attached and I use Freesat. I'm currently thinking of changing the LNB to a dual or quad output LNB which means i can then wire Satalite signal to all the bedrooms upstairs aswell as the existing lounge.

 

1.Will this work with the disk I've got (think its 53cm minidish).

2. Can you recommend me a LNB?

3. Is it fairly easy to install?

[plexer]

Easy to do just have a look at the current fitting on the mini dish which is probably an oblong tongue and order one from ebay.

 

Ben

[glennda]

Easy to do just have a look at the current fitting on the mini dish which is probably an oblong tongue and order one from ebay.

 

Ben

 

but i don't need to worry about it not working with 4 rather then 1?

[jinnantonnixx]

Fitting a dish is fairly straightforward, as is changing the LNB.

Make sure you specify a 'Sky' LNB as Sky dishes are elliptical in the x plane. This means that the feedhorn must also be eliptical.

 

Watch your 'skew'. Adjacent satellite channels are broadcast at 90' difference - horizontal & vertical polarisation. This prevents adjacent channels bleeding into each other. The skew matches your LNB with the polarisation angle as seen by your LNB - this varies depending on whereabouts you live.

What is LNB Skew?

 

By the way, it is possible to split a single feed into two receivers. Unlike an ordinary aerial, an LNB is active. It receives switching signals from the receiver, so in this case one of the receivers must be nominated 'master'. The other, slave, receiver can watch channels in the same block (H/L) and at the same polarisation (H/V). A quad LNB is best, though.

 

Oh yes, make sure you get high grade satellite cable. I used to know the specs off the top of my head, but I haven't fitted a dish in a while. Although low grade cable can be used, and will appear to be electrically identical, be aware that the cable is carrying a radio signal near the 2Ghz range - a low grade cable might pick up noise from DECT phones and other gizmos.

 

HTH.

 

This site is all you need.

http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/satindex.htm

Edited September 18, 2011 by jinnantonnixx

[glennda]

So something like this will do?

 

Play.com - Buy Sky Digital Quad LNB online at Play.com and read reviews. Free delivery to UK and Europe!

 

From that diagram on the Sat cure site a need to set the skew to 3 (West Sussex). Also anybody know any good places to buy a reel of cable? Will probs need 100m as going to be running to 3 extra rooms. Also I need adaptors don't i?

[Dos_Box]

CPC Always have plenty of bits for satellite installs: Aerials & Satellite | CPC

[m25man]

If you can't wait or want to use CPC, Screwfix stock everything you would need and there's probably a branch at the end of the road as they seem to be everywhere nowadays!

[DAZZD88]

You could always check out Maplins, their tech people seem fairly knowledgeable about things like this.

[plexer]

Screwfix for the cable and the connectors cheap as anywhere else really.

 

but i don't need to worry about it not working with 4 rather then 1?

 

I don't quite understand that bit?

 

Ben

[plexer]

Sky Quad LNB Sky+ / HD Freesat + Legacy adaptor | eBay

 

Get that one plus some cable and some extra f connectors from screw fix, if you want some self amalgamating tape to wrap around the outisde connectors pm me a postal address and I'll send you some.

 

Ben

[plexer]

For cabling make an offer on this:

 

50m SKY+ or HD twin shotgun Satellite cable black NEW! | eBay

 

That with the lnb will sort you out.

 

Ben

[glennda]

Cheers Ben - Ordered up now. If i have any probs when it arrives will post back